M10 Q1

Ed Sheeran is a modern-day star that I believe will end up being in the textbook, Popular Music in America: The Beat Goes on by Michael Campbell. The main reason I believe Ed Sheeran will be put into the textbook is because he has raw talent, and an enjoyable style for many people no matter what genre they usually enjoy.

The first time I heard Ed Sheeran was when “A Team”

was released in 2011 I was instantly hooked on his style as many others were. Ed has a very acoustic style in his music which made me personally like his music more. Ed’s genre technically would be singer-songwriter, but along with that, he’s also a pop artist. Beyond being a pop artist Ed also manages to often incorporate folk music and a rap type style into many of his songs. This mix of different genres gives Ed credibility in many different crowds which is why he’s become so rapidly popular.

Ed’s story makes him a little bit more likeable for many people because people like to see someone who has worked hard and put the time in to make it be rewarded. Ed’s story shows how he was an underdog and has gained the respect of many through his endless motivation to become a star. Ed was born in Halifax, England. Halifax is where Ed learned to play guitar and started to write his own music.[1]Ed had a rougher start to life where he got bullied for his lazy eye and stutter.https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=85&v=CTufwCG8Xeg Ed slowly gained control over his stutter through music, specifically Eminem’s. Ed learned all the words to the songs of the album his dad had bought him by the time he was ten.[2] Ed then travelled to London where he pushed to make it on his own. Ed started with small venues then through social media was tossed from place to place trying to make it big when he was finally picked up by radio host, Jamie Foxx. This story is more likeable than the stories of many other artists who got famous through shows such as The Voice, American Idol, Americas Got Talent, or X Factor because this gives people hope for themselves to achieve their own dreams if they put in the effort.

Ed has proven himself as an impressive singer by the number of awards he continues to get and the songs on top charts he has. When Ed’s album Divide ‘÷’ was released in the UK Ed broke a record with 16 of his songs on the top 20 charts.[3] People have fallen in love with the bright-haired singer from the UK instantly, and I believe this fame will continue to rise. Since 2011 when Ed was nominated and chosen for ‘Breakthrough Artist of the Year’ at the Electronic Music Awards, he has been nominated for hundreds of awards and has won many as well.[4] Each album Ed gets nominated for more awards than the last one, and each time he releases something he gains a spot on the top charts.

Many of the artists in the textbook, Popular Music in America: The Beat Goes on, are people who had a lasting impact on the music industry. Someone such as Elvis Presley who was mentioned in the textbook started other artists on the path of being edgier on stage with his new dance moves and his thundering voice. I think Ed Sheeran will bring back a simpler kind of music. Ed Sheeran’s music can be picked apart instrument by instrument which I believe other artists will see has been working in his favour. One of Ed’s top songs was ‘Thinking out Loud’ just as the music video shows this song is simple.

Most of ‘Thinking Out Loud’ is a simple backbeat from the drums, a little bit of piano, bass, and guitar. The only time that things really get spiced up is about 3 minutes into the song when there is a small guitar solo. For the most part of this song, the music is simple, and the vocals are strong but not overpowering. This song stayed on the ‘Hot 100 Billboard chart’ for fifty-eight weeks peaking at number two a couple months after it was released.[5] Another one of Ed Sheeran’s most famous songs is ‘Perfect’.

‘Perfect’ stayed at the number one spot for six weeks and stayed on the top billboard chart for fifty-seven weeks as a whole. [6]

With how well Ed Sheeran is doing since rising to fame in 2011 he should be followed by other artists. The success Ed has brought to himself by being so open within his music is obviously a path that has treated him very well. He is an amazing singer and songwriter who has gotten back to the basics of music and is continuing his rise to the top. His passionate music deserves to be documented and learned about by students for many years to come.

[1] “Biography,” A&E Television Networks, August 21, 2014, https://www.biography.com/people/ed-sheeran

[2] Lidiya K, “Goalcast,”Goalcast, January 9, 2018, https://www.goalcast.com/2018/01/09/ed-sheeran-life-story/

[3] Luke Britton, “NME,” NME, March 10, 2017, https://www.nme.com/news/music/ed-sheeran-breaks-chart-record-16-songs-uk-top-20-2011223

[4] “Aceshowbiz” AceShowbiz, August 5, 2018, https://www.aceshowbiz.com/celebrity/ed_sheeran/awards.html

[5] “Billboard,” Th Hollywood Reporter, August 5, 2018, https://www.billboard.com/music/ed-sheeran/chart-history

[6] “Billboard,” Th Hollywood Reporter, August 5, 2018, https://www.billboard.com/music/Ed-Sheeran/chart-history/canadian-hot-100/song/1016822

M2 Q3

Mamie Smith (born Robinson) was born on May 26^th in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mamie was born in 1883 during a time of horrible racism.[1] Slavery had only been abolished 18 years before Mamie was born, and the abolishment of segregation wouldn’t happen until years after that. As an African-American woman, Mamie had many struggles to face.

Mamie Smith was a persistence woman from a young age. She left her house at age ten to join a dancing group called, the Four Dancing Mitchells. After joining the Four Dancing Mitchells Mamie made her way to New York where she married her first husband William “Smitty” Smith.[2] After getting married Mamie started making a reputation for herself as a singer in Harlem clubs. She recorded her song “Crazy Blues” becoming the first documented black female vocalist to record a song.[3]

Mamie Smith’s song “Crazy Blues” was groundbreaking for many people. African-American people believed they had a chance to show their capabilities to the world following Mamie’s lead. This was also a big step for women as they fought for their right to be equal and they could see Mamie fighting through the racism and sexism to rise to the top. “Crazy Blues” is about a break up between a man and woman, which could have been why it became so popular so quickly. Everyone can relate to this situation, and along with her powerful voice and a big range of vocals she had everything people could want in a song which brought her to the top.

Many artists struggle enough to become the stars they want without added extra struggles. Mamie had so much more she had to struggle with daily, and it’s amazing to see that she persevered. The racism that was happening during this time period was among the worst in history. Many organizations were even violent about their racism. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) is the worst known racist group, the fear of other people did not stop Mamie from achieving her dream though. Mamie played in Richmond, Indiana, where there was a Ku Klux Klan stronghold at the time.[4] Even though Mamie was singing I this racist era she continued to sell out concerts time and time again because of her ability that was far too good for many people to ignore. Because of the colour of Mamie’s skin, other people were put into harm’s way. These people fought the racism against Mamie because they knew she had talent and deserved to be on the big stage. Mamie’s record producer, Mr. Hager, received threat saying that if he was to record Mamie or any other African-American singer. When Mr. Hager started to question it, he was told that he needed to push through. According to Mr. Hager’s friend this is the moment Mamie got to become a star, “Mr. Hager got a far-off look in his eyes and seemed somewhat worried, because of the many threatening letters he had received from some Northern and Southern pressure groups warning him not to have any truck with colored girls in the recording field. If he did, OKeh Products – phonograph machines and records – would be boycotted. May God bless Mr. Hager, for despite the many threats, it took a man with plenty of nerves and guts to buck those powerful groups and make the historical decision which would echo aroun’ the world. He pried open that old ‘prejudiced door’ for the first colored girl, Mamie Smith, so she could squeeze into the large horn – and shout with her strong contralto voice.”[5]

After “Crazy Blues” Mamie had two other songs that stood out in their popularity. Mamie Smith recorded “That Thing Called Love” and “It’s Right Here For You” for OKeh records. Mamie’s composer, Perry Bradford, fought for her to sing for OKeh records after Mr. Hager questioned taking in an African-American artist. To convince Mr. Hager, Bradford said, “African American music lovers were an untapped market and that ‘they will buy records if recorded by one of their own, because we are the only folks that can sing and interpret hot jazz songs just off the griddle correctly.’”[6] Bradford’s observation proved to be true as Mamie Smith’s songs rose to the top. These songs both showcased Mamie’s wide range of vocals and had the same slow rich blues sound. Both of these songs showed a deep contrast between a throaty raw sound with deep horns to a light feather high note with the horns softly harmonizing with her vocals. There are many reasons, such as these examples, as to why Mamie’s music became such a hit. She had a voice that was raw and low, and her music captured true blues. This caught the interest of many blues fans, and the fact that she was an African-American lady caught everyone else’s. When asked about Mamie Smith’s shows people would often not only talk about the raw talent that Mamie had, but also her showmanship.[7] People say that the show was a spectacle to behold. Every part of Mamie was born to be a star from the beginning.

Mamie Smith fought through the heavy racism and sexism of the late 1800s and early 1900s to show pure talent in blues and change the history of blues music.

[1] “Last.fm,”as, August 28, 2006, https://www.last.fm/music/Mamie+Smith/+wiki

[2] Thomas Gale, “Encyclopedia,” Contemporary Black Biography, July 15, 2018, https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/historians-and-chronicles/historians-miscellaneous-biographies/mamie-smith

[3] Thomas Gale, “Encyclopedia,” Contemporary Black Biography, July 15, 2018, https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/historians-and-chronicles/historians-miscellaneous-biographies/mamie-smith

[4] Jill Simins, “Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana’s Digital Newspaper Program,” July 15, 2018, https://blog.newspapers.library.in.gov/mamie-smith/

[5] Jill Simins, “Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana’s Digital Newspaper Program,” July 15, 2018, https://blog.newspapers.library.in.gov/mamie-smith/

[6] Jill Simins, “Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana’s Digital Newspaper Program,” July 15, 2018, https://blog.newspapers.library.in.gov/mamie-smith/

[7] Thomas Gale, “Encyclopedia,” Contemporary Black Biography, July 15, 2018, https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/historians-and-chronicles/historians-miscellaneous-biographies/mamie-smith

M6 Q1

Elvis proved to the world that he deserved the title as the King of Rock n Roll from the beginning. It’s not a surprise that Elvis has influenced tons of musical performers to this day because of his style, skill, and unique vocals. If we look on the Elvisualization on Spotify we can see tons of artists that Elvis influenced in some way or another.

A long list of musical performers who have been influenced starts with Elvis, then to Bob Dylan, then to Stevie Wonder, to Usher, then finally to Bruno Mars. These are all very impressive artists whose musical performances can in some way be traced back to Elvis.

Bob Dylan is an artist that was hit hard by the death of Elvis. When Dylan heard about the passing of Presley he was working on his album “Street Legal.” While hearing about the passing he told people around him that “if it wasn’t for (Presley) he never would have gotten started. He opened the door.”[1] Similarities between Presley and Dylan can be seen in many of Dylan’s songs. Dylan states that from a very young age he would not have been the person he was without Presley. Some of this influence comes over into Dylan’s music making. Lots of Dylan’s songs such as “Changing of The Guards” has the same twangy tune as many of Presley’s songs like “Heartbreak Hotel.” Dylan became such a big star idolizing Presley that he started to become an idol for other artists to follow.

A big star who seems to have been influenced by Bob Dylan is Stevie Wonder. Stevie Wonder, though he couldn’t see seems to have picked up a bit of Dylan’s style as seen in figure 1.

Dylan and Wonder’s main similarities come in their music. Stevie and Dylan both have the boldness to them that captures an audience’s attention right away. Both Dylan and Wonder have a strong backbeat in their songs that can easily be heard throughout the entire song. The singers keep the pace of their songs slow and let the power of their voices do the real work of keeping the song impressive. Both Dylan and Wonder have deeper throatier voices but their voices can also be really soft. We can see Dylan’s influence on Wonder in songs such as “Is Your Love in Vain” by Bob Dylan and “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder. Though Wonder’s song is a bit more up pace if you listen to some of the background instrumentals they sound very similar.

Though Wonder really respected Dylan, it was a two-way street with mutual respect to both people. Dylan talks about Wonder saying, “If anybody can be called a genius, he can be. I think it has something to do with his ear, not being able to see or whatever…  In fact, he might have invented that. he is a great mimic, can imitate everybody, doesn’t take himself seriously and is a true roadhouse musician all the way, with classical overtones, and he does it all with drama and style. I’d like to hear him play with an orchestra. He should probably have his own orchestra”[3] This mutual respect could be a part of Dylan seeing pieces of himself in Wonder’s work.

A great singer who came from the influences of Stevie Wonder is Usher. Usher has a high pitched voice with a lot of soul which can be viewed as a direct influence from Stevie Wonder. A song such as “The Motown Sound” by Stevie Wonder sounds like something that would come directly from an Usher album. Usher has shown that he has a very similar sound by singing a few of Wonder’s songs as covers. When Usher sang “That Girl” by Stevie Wonder he seemed to fit right in with the song as if it was his own. To further see the influences of Wonder in Usher’s music we can look at Usher’s song “Lil Freak.” While listening to Usher’s “Raymond vs. Raymond” album listeners can hear that Usher’s song “Lil Freak” has actually sampled Stevie Wonders song “Living in The City.”[4] This example of sampling truly shows the similarities between Usher and one of the men who influenced him, Stevie Wonder.

Usher has always had a certain style and look about him while on stage or in public places. Many people have tried to follow this influence, such as the very famous Justin Bieber, but one man who truly does a good job of sharing this similar swagger as Usher is Bruno Mars. Bruno and Usher share the same look with their big gold chains and heavy clothes shown by Bruno in his “24k” album cover and Usher’s “Pop Ya Collar” album cover. Mars has a similar vocal style as Usher utilizing his ability to sing high and then switch quickly to lower notes in songs such as “Gorilla” in his “Unorthodox Jukebox” album. While Usher shows off his high pitched notes in songs such as “Climax” from his album “Looking 4 Myself.”

Similarities in Bruno Mars can be traced all the way back to Elvis Presley by following this line, and Bruno himself has said that he was heavily influenced by Elvis Presley directly as he talked in awe about how he had moves unlike any other.[5] This goes to show the lasting effects of one of the greatest musicians in our history.

[1] Ugur, “NSF Music Station”, November 18 2016. https://www.needsomefun.net/when-elvis-presley-died-it-deeply-affected-bob-dylan/

[2] Egil Mosbron, “Stevie Wonder and Bob Dylan- The Connection”, May 13 2017. https://alldylan.com/stevie-wonder-and-bob-dylan-the-connection/

[3] Egil Mosbron, “Stevie Wonder and Bob Dylan- The Connection”, May 13 2017. https://alldylan.com/stevie-wonder-and-bob-dylan-the-connection/

[4] Taste Creators, “What do you get when you mix Usher and Stevie Wonder”, June 12 2016. http://www.tastecreators.com/sample-series-usher-stevie-wonder/

[5] George Varga, “The San Diego Union-Tribune”, July 24, 2013. http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/sdut-bruno-mars-talks-musical-inspiration-2013jul24-story.html#

Mamie Smith

Elvis Presley